Analysis: Balochistan’s mining law reignites debate on resource control

Ever since its passage by the Balochistan Assembly, the Mines and Minerals Act, 2025 has stirred considerable uproar. Opposition is not limited to Baloch nationalists, who have historically resisted the exploitation of their province’s resources by the central government; even the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) — a right-wing religious party led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman — has challenged the legislation in the high court, calling it “detrimental to the people of Balochistan.” Interestingly, JUI-F lawmakers had supported the Act in the provincial assembly. Following this, the party leadership issued show-cause notices to them for backing the legislation. Awami National Party’s Balochistan president, Asghar Khan, echoed similar sentiments. Speaking at the Quetta Press Club, he urged his party leadership to take disciplinary action against members who supported the Act. “The party leadership should act against our assembly members who voted for the Act,” he stated. “This legislation is not in the interest of the people of Balochistan.”